Congress - HGH - & Professional Athletics

[mrplunkey]

yes, a proper training regimen tailored to the athletes bio mechanical strengths and weaknesses protects the spine, any non-athletic jag off can hurt his spine sitting on the john or at work, and it seems your arguement is only directed at contact sports

So let's pick professional football.

You acknowledge that a significant number of these players are probably going to suffer long-term effects from TBI (traumatic brain injury) resulting from multiple blows to the head.

You acknowledge that a significant number of these players will probably experience premature degenerative joint disease (DJD) (particularly the knees) resulting from numerous types of stress and contact.

But you don't think they'll suffer any degenerative spine disease as a result from contact similar to that causing TBI's and DJD?

 

[mrplunkey]

One of you sports geniuses should estimate how many high school and college football players there are in the US right now.

 

[jiggagold]

I'm sure there will be slight degenerative disc diseases, alterations in the spine from contact but I hear more about back issues from the general population than from athletes (first hand experience here). Once a player signs that contract they put themselves at risk whether they know it or not. High risk high reward (in most cases)but at the same time a player can avoid further issues with pre and post rehabilitation during and after their career to counteract trauma to the spine. Its what is around the spine that protects it. And stabilizing, mobilizing and strengthening your lumbar and thoracic spine can protect you in the future.

Preventative medicine is the key to a pain free future.

 

[PICK3]

It can be said that football players, in general, increase their risk of developing low back pain, DDD, and FD as their years of involvement with their sport increase. Because specific spine injuries like fracture, disc herniation, and spondylolysis are more frequent in football players, the resulting DDD and FD are greater than that of the general population. The weightlifting and violent hyperextension that are part of American football are independent risk factors for degenerative spine disease.

Does football cause an increase in degen... [Curr Sports Med Rep. 2002] - PubMed - NCBI

 

[jiggagold]

say theres 250 d1 college programs 85 is the limit per team, 21,000 players give or take

 

[mrplunkey]

I'm sure there will be slight degenerative disc diseases, alterations in the spine from contact but I hear more about back issues from the general population than from athletes (first hand experience here). Once a player signs that contract they put themselves at risk whether they know it or not. High risk high reward (in most cases)but at the same time a player can avoid further issues with pre and post rehabilitation during and after their career to counteract trauma to the spine. Its what is around the spine that protects it. And stabilizing, mobilizing and strengthening your lumbar and thoracic spine can protect you in the future.

Preventative medicine is the key.

Spinal trauma greatly accelerates degenerative spine disease. There are some things that can be done to stabilize and strengthen it, but there's a point of no return (i.e. massive herniation).

But this does bring us right back to the original argument. Professional athletes choose to put themselves at risk for a high risk/return job.

1) Adding physician-supervised hormone regimens to their existing risk profile isn't going to make it significantly worse.

2) Even if exogenous hormones are against the rules, it's up to the league to police them -- not congress.

 

[mrplunkey]

say theres 250 d1 college programs 85 is the limit per team, 21,000 players give or take

That's a great number to work with. It's fair to say no D1 college football player is going to have the same college experience as a full-time dedicated student. Academic corners simply have to be cut.

So we've got 21,000 players competing for 250 NFL spots that open-up per year? And how many of those 250 wash out the first year?

What's a typical plan "B" for a player that doesn't make it? Janitor? Drug dealer? Future felon?

So if we're really that worried about putting all those players at risk, don't crack down on AAS -- crack down on those 5,000 people per year who get used and dumped.

 

[jiggagold]

These pro athletes arent supervised first off, unless were only talking high profile athletes, the average joe schmoe in the league is going to take his buddys advice (even if its shit advice) and not air out his bizness to some doctor he doesnt know. Most of them dont know what their taking and really dont give a shit, as long as they see an ab, a new vein popping out, or feel like superman everyday they suit up. Someone will always be cheating, some get caught, some dont, its apart of the game.

But yes congress needs to stay the hell out its a joke.

 

[PICK3]

What's a typical plan "B" for a player that doesn't make it? Janitor? Drug dealer? Future felon?

turning tricks under the facade of the "Men's Room Attendant" title @ Cutter's

 

[mrplunkey]

These pro athletes arent supervised first off, unless were only talking high profile athletes, the average joe schmoe in the league is going to take his buddys advice (even if its shit advice) and not air out his bizness to some doctor he doesnt know. Most of them dont know what their taking and really dont give a shit, as long as they see an ab, a new vein popping out, or feel like superman everyday they suit up. Someone will always be cheating, some get caught, some dont, its apart of the game.

But yes congress needs to stay the hell out its a joke.

But the ones who take bad steroid advice are also going to take bad advice on training, diet, finances and any other aspect of their career.

Singling-out bad decisions regarding AAS use seems capricious and arbitrary.